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Summary: Bachelorette #1
Review: What fun! I picked this book up on a rare rainy summer day and literally could not put it down until I found out how Sarah would reconcile her love for her family and her need to feel "Stag"-worthy! The book is fun and fast-paced and has more than enough turns to keep the reader entertained. It reminded me that even when I think my life is going perfectly, I need to slow down and remember how I got here and who helped make it perfect! Can't wait for the author's next book!
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Summary: Top of the line chick lit
Review: When Sarah Holmes is assigned to write an undercover expose on reality dating shows, she is reluctant to go as she is a 34 year old married mom. After a little persuasion, the promise of a complete makeover, and the blessing of her husband, she decides to leave her family for 5 weeks in order to get the dirt on the women who put themselves through the elimination process.What she doesn't expect is to find friendships with her fellow contestants or discover that she has feelings for 'The Stag.' Over the course of the book, you will find yourself laughing out loud at her self-deprecating humor and relating to her inner turmoil as she tries to discover who she really is. Is she only a thirtysomething stay-at-home mom or is she still the vibrant, goal-oriented, and fun woman she was before marriage and motherhood? You will truly forge a bond with Sarah as she attempts to be the last one standing on 'The Stag' and finds herself in the process.
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Summary: The Marriage of Reality and Fiction
Review: With "Bachelorette #1," Jennifer O'Connell breaks new ground delving into the wacky world of reality TV, a realm few authors have yet to explore. Now, while most people are loath to admit it, Americans are watching shows of this genre and the ratings prove it. From "American Idol" to the Joes - Average and Schmo; we are lapping this stuff up! The "Bachelorette" in this story is thirty-something wife, mother and freelance author, Sarah Holmes, who accepts an assignment to "infiltrate" a dating show called "The Stag." Through the magic of a team of makeover artists, Sarah is transformed into a dewy hopeful and manages to bluff her way through to the top 24 contestants. What makes this book compelling is that O'Connell uses the experience as a means for Sarah to take a hard look at her own insecurities. Rather than turning into an expose on the genre, the real substance of the book is the author's exploration of a modern day marriage and how "self" fits into that picture. As cheesy as these shows can be, this reader found herself rooting for the heroine as she progresses through each round of the competition. We get to know the other young women and learn of their motivations as well. "Bachelorette #1" is well-written, fast-paced and very readable. As the voice of the author, Sarah has a nice combination of wit and sarcasm. The conclusion is satisfying yet leaves the reader wanting more. As a freelance writer who covers reality shows, I am more than a little bit familiar with this type of show. I looked for weak spots in the sequence of events and found none. And, while I question that someone in their 30s could actually pull this off, I had to set reason aside and accept that one crucial element. That being done, I sat back and cruised through this book, enjoying every minute of the journey!
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